Travelling from Ottawa to Istanbul: what you need to know
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is Ottawa's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from Ottawa to Istanbul taking off from here.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's major gateways.
To ensure you catch your Ottawa to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Taking off during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Istanbul
To find cheap Ottawa to Istanbul flights, book ahead. Airlines generally offer lower prices when flights first go on sale.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Ottawa to Istanbul is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the best prices throughout the month and pick up an incredible deal.
There's no need to check every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Ottawa to Istanbul.
Save money on your Ottawa to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
The journey from central Ottawa to YOW takes about 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Ottawa to Istanbul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of all flights leaving Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, 58.21% land on schedule at their destination.
You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
It usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel near IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Ottawa to Istanbul. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Begin your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Istanbul and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your Ottawa to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 31 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. After your flight from Ottawa to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
After your flight from Ottawa to Istanbul, rest your head at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or long cab queues. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Ottawa to Istanbul. To skip the crowds, visit Istanbul in February.
When booking your Ottawa to Istanbul tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Ottawa to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options after locking in your flight from Ottawa to Istanbul:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are essential stops on your Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're looking to explore another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are the start of reasons to visit.